Joseph Jessepe 1949-2016
Joseph Grant “Sao nem ki” Jessepe, 66, Mayetta, died Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016, at his home.
He was born Dec. 9, 1949, on the Prairie Band Potawatomi Reservation, the son of Leroy J. and Constance Magnauck Jessepe. He graduated from Manhattan High School in 1967 and had attended Kansas State University. He graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 1974.
Mr. Jessepe served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars, Vietnam Campaign with 1960 device, Marksman (M-14), 1 O.S. Bar, Expert (M-16, Combat Infantrymen’s Badge, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Purple Heart Medal for his service. He later worked for the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation as a Community Health Representative for more than 20 years.
He was a member of the Native American Church and served as president of the Delia Chapter. He was a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.
He married Rosanna Whiteskunk. They divorced. He married Mary Greene in October 1992 on the reservation. She survives.
Other survivors include three daugthers, Leslie Marshno and Jacquelyn Levier, both of Topeka, and Jodi Jessepe, Mayetta; a son, Andrew Joseph “A.J.” Ortega, Topeka; two sisters, Theresa Murray and husband Robert, Poplar, Mont., and Imelda Jessepe, Mayetta; a brother, Charles Lewis, Kansas City, Mo.; eight grandchildren, Sydney Jessepe, Sylvana Levier-Jessepe, Ivan Levier, Alyssa Levier, Aislen, Arrow and Justina Jessepe and Lorraine Jackson; and a great-grandson, Frankie Snell.
A rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Sister Therese Klepac Hall with visitation to follow. Native American Church Services will be held Thursday evening at Mr. Jessepe’s home. Burial will be held Friday afternoon in Shipshee Cemetery. Mercer Funeral Home in Holton is in charge of arrangements.
